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Baan wants improved performance

Qantas Under 23’s coach Rob Baan is demanding a much improved performance from his team, if they are to beat Jordan in their first home qualifying match on Wednesday night at Hindmarsh Stadium.

Qantas Under 23-s coach Rob Baan is demanding a much improved performance from his team, if they are to beat Jordan in their first home qualifying match on Wednesday night at Hindmarsh Stadium.

Despite a confidence-boosting 0-0 draw with Iran, Baan believes that Jordan will pose a much tougher task than Iran, after having viewed their match against Saudi Arabia and talking with colleagues from the middle east.

“After the match (against Iran), I was not so happy at all,” said Baan from Adelaide. “Because we didn-t play a good match in the first half, in the second half we played much better.

“We do have confidence, but to be very honest I have seen Jordan on DVD and heard from my colleagues and this is the group that qualified for the U20-s (FIFA World Youth Championship) and they have a really good team. A better team than Iran I think.”

Jordan lost its opening match at home 1-0 to Saudi Arabia and can-t afford to lose this game, but in any case Baan is not expecting them to come attacking.

“On the counter-attack,” was Baan-s answer, when asked how he thought Jordan would play this game. “As we want to win this game, we have to go on the attack and we will do that. So we have to keep in mind that is what they are waiting for and we have to find the right balance (between attack and defence).”

One of Baan-s major concerns was the workload and travel that his Sydney and Adelaide players of his squad were experiencing, combining these qualifiers with their AFC Champions League commitments.

“I am concerned and a good example of this is Mark Milligan, because he came back with a hamstring injury,” Baan said.

“He wants to play in the Olyroo team, he wants to be there and he wants to play tomorrow, so I am very much depending on my medical staff now. We did not train him at all until this morning and he says he feels fine. He will be in the starting eleven, but I will tell him that he shouldn-t take any risks and that as soon as he feels something I will take him out.”

Baan has also told his players that they are in the shop window for the Asia Cup and believes that anywhere between 3-5 players of his Under 23 squad could be part of the Asian Cup squad in July.

The Under 23-s play Jordan at Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide on Wednesday night, with kick-off at 7.00pm (ACDT).

Ticket Details:-

All sales are via VenueTix from 9am (ACDT) Thursday 8 March or at the venue on match day.